Song of the Day: Helladope – Just So You Know

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to thank our local music community by offering songs by Northwest artists. Today’s featured selection is “Just So You Know” by Seattle’s Helladope from the 2009 self-released album Return to Planet Rock.

South Seattle’s rap duo Helladope are eagerly awaiting contact from Mr. Bambaataa so they can return their home of Planet Rock. At least that’s the impression Jerm and Tay Sean give with their debut album, Return to Planet Rock, set to hit the streets this fall. The album features the down tempo yet finger snapping track “Just So You Know.” Littered with funky lounge synths and layered verse, this party single claims that it is “positively, absolutely out to get the party movin” and by the conclusion of the final plucky bar of synth it makes good on that claim. You’ll feel the two-step beat of bass and hand claps moving your feet, hips and head as Jerm and Tay Sean give you some real talk straight out of Beacon Hill about how to rock a party.

Helladope are set to take the stage at The Crocodile on Saturday December 5th alongside local hip hop stars Mad Rad, VS., and Fatal. The show is $15 and part of a two day event called Go! Machine which starts December 4th. Go! Machine features Spaceman, Grynch, The Physics, Champagne Champagne, and host Spencer Moody of The Murder City Devils. For a thriftier way of seeing Helladope live in Seattle, be sure to check out their early, all-ages performance at Nectar Lounge on Saturday November 27th with DJ Sabzi of Blue Scholars, The Next Door Neighbors and Kung Foo Grip. Check their MySpace page for updates. Here they are performing at Folklife earlier this year:

2 Comments

it’s too hard to enjoy the great beats when your gender is refered to as “hos.” Folks still don’t get it…women don’t want to be called ho’s by men just as much as black folks don’t want to be called niggers by white folks. I’d love to support the great beats and local music…but atlas, I’ll be deleting this mp3, cause I can’t support the message. Kexp could do better!

@marmalade: Sounds like you have a hard time supporting hip hop in general then, there’s a lot harsher lyrics out there then what helladope’s spitting. Put on some blue scholars or modest mouse and have a sprite. I wouldn’t normally have said anything, but ALAS, you messed up one of my favorite interjections